“Very constructive,” said Davis of the portion of Saturday’s meeting he witnessed. “I think both sides are willing and they’re able, and we both understand that as long as we continue–this is a big issue and I think both sides are voicing their opinion and what they’re passionate about. Everybody’s being a lot more receptive today to moving forward. Ever since we’ve been here, we’ve been all trying to figure out the best process.”

“[Im] really looking forward to playing with, and mentoring, Kyrie,” said Davis in an e-mail. “Hes so talented, creative, smart, has so much potential and could become a great cornerstone of the Cavaliers franchise for many years to come. Ive been talking to him a lot this summer about NBA life, and in Cleveland, hes going to learn so much from coach [Byron] Scott, who will be a great mentor as well.”

Too often, Davis’ poor fitness has led to injuries, which made it impossible for the former lottery pick to fulfill expectations.

He was a disappointment for the Hornets and appeared more interested in making movies than winning with the lowly Clippers.

Now there are reports he wants to, wait for it, mentor Cleveland Cavaliers’ prospect Kyrie Irving. Davis was, of course, traded to the Cavaliers last February, while the club selected Irving first overall in the NBA draft.

And the Cavaliers will have to decide how to involve Davis in helping Irving grow and develop.

Dan Gilbert took to Twitter to deny he helped derail collective bargaining agreement negotiations. "Some of these NBA 'bloggissists' flat-out make stuff up and then try to dupe readers into believing their fiction is real. Sad & pathetic," Gilbert wrote.

The always outspoken owner of the Cavaliers didn’t like reports he was responsible for the impasse between players and owners at Tuesday’s bargaining session.

So Gilbert responded, calling the speculation by bloggers ‘sad and pathetic’.

The loan tsar is ripe for criticism on many things, however, he’s not responsible for the breakdown in negotiations. The players were overly optimistic about finding a quick solution; the owners are determined to get a hard cap.

The league’s issues are far greater than Gilbert. He was just a convenient scapegoat for what happened on Tuesday..
--Oly Sandor

(Mary Schmitt Boyer) Based on everything I'm hearing, I would be surprised if the season started before January. As for Sessions, I'm not sure if the organization has made up its mind to trade him. I think the team is intrigued by playing any two of these point guards together. If a move is made, I would expect an attempt to get more scoring and athleticism on the wings.

Ramon Sessions is a solid third guard and spot starter, however, he has the unfortunate habit of joining teams who are stocked in the backcourt.

For instance, he left Milwaukee because the Bucks had Brandon Jennings and Luke Ridnour at the one-spot. Minnesota deemed him expendable with Jonny Flynn, Ridnour (again), and Ricky Rubio's eventual migration from Spain.

So, the Wolves dealt him to the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers. And it seemed he finally had a home and regular minutes.

Well, wrong.

The Cavaliers acquired Baron Davis at the trade deadline, assuming the remaining two years and $29 million on his contract, while Kyrie Irving was drafted first overall and anointed The Future.

Both are point guards. It would seem Sessions will get his minutes playing next to Davis and Irving -or he won't get minutes at all.

And the Cavaliers will likely be listening to any or all offers for the nomadic guard.

Keep in mind: James will eventually win an NBA championship. He and his Heat are too good not to. Last year they came within two games of winning it all -even though 2011 was their first year together and everyone outside of Florida wanted them to fail.

When that day comes, when James finally hoists the Larry O'Brien trophy, he'll have his revenge.

While criticism of his play, fair or not, may continue, this kind of nonsense will hopefully stop.Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Looking back on last year’s free agency and “The Decision,” do you look back and think it could have been done differently or do you just own up to it? Chris Bosh: “I say you own up to it. We all make mistakes. I think anybody would be kidding themselves if they thought they were perfect at anything.

Link
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: So, Chris Bosh believes LeBron James made a mistake with The Decision.

In an interview, Bosh indirectly said James slipped up last summer by announcing on ESPN he was ‘taking his talent to South Beach’ and leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat.

James admitted as much last year, although he couldn’t, or wouldn’t, say what he’d have done differently.

Equally as damaging to the Heat was Bosh, James, and Dwyane Wade’s collective decision to announce their arrival the way teams celebrate a championship.

The Three Kings held a massive party, and acted more like rock stars than NBA superstars. A sold out stadium of Heat faithful cheered. To be fair, James was the one who predicted multiple championships.

Bosh`s arrogance at this pre-emeptive celebration - along with James and Wade’s surliness - turned off fans outside Florida and solidified the Heat’s status as villains.

From that moment the Heat was public enemy number one. And they have yet to get the bulls-eye off their back.

Finally, the NBA Draft is here. The gossip, speculation, and home videos of mysterious Euro prospects is no more.

Below is how things officially unfolded in real time, with live analysis at the HoopsVibe News headquarters. So get at us with thoughts, ideas, and opinions in the comment box below.

1) Kyrie Irving to Cleveland Cavaliers.

Details: PG, 6-2, 181, Duke Blue Devils, Fr.

Pros: Irving is a good athlete, who uses his quickness and feel for the game to attack the basket. He’s smart, tough, and had little issue leading more experienced teammates during the NCAA tournament.
Cons: While Irving is a good athlete, he isn’t explosive or big. And he missed much of his freshmen year with a toe injury. So the New Jersey native is a risk.

Fit: He'll be fine as long as he doesn't follow Baron Davis' training routine or try to replace that LeBron guy.

2) Derrick Williams to Minnesota Timberwolves.

Details: PF, 6-9, 248, Arizona Wildcats, So.
Pros: He’s a pick-your-poison scorer. In his second season, Williams improved his ability to attack the basket, while also being able to knock down jump shots. This combination of skill and athleticism should make Williams a difficult match-up for opposing defenses.
Cons: Some feel Williams is a ‘tweener’, stuck between the 3 and 4 spots. And they’re unsure if his athleticism can compensate for his 6-9 height,

Fit: Is there room for Kevin Love, Mike Beasley, and Williams in the frontcourt?

3) Enis Kanter to Utah Jazz.

Details: C, 6-10, 260, Turkey, 19 years of age.

Pros: Strong, skilled, and tough is how most describe Kanter. His polished game and physical tools should make a pretty good NBA player.

Cons: Kanter is undersized and not especially explosive for a five-man. And can his knee hold up to the grind of an NBA season?

Fit: His strong IQ and blue-collar approach makes him perfect for the Jazz.

4) Tristan Thompson to Cleveland Cavaliers.

Details: PF, 6-9, 225, University of Texas, Fr.

Pros: Thompson should have a nice NBA career because of his wingspan, improving body, and lefty skill-set. His energy and work on the glass is also a plus.

Cons: Despite shedding baby fat, Thompson is still a little undersized to handle NBA power forwards.

Fit: The Canadian can play, but going fourth overall was a surprise. He'll need time to develop his offensive game for the Cavs.

5) Jonas Valanciunas to Toronto Raptors

Details: PF, 6-10, 230, Lithuania, 18 years old.

Pros: Valanciunas is an energetic player, who is active on the offensive glass and gets his share of put-back points. At 18, some believe he has the most upside of any player in the draft.

Cons: He’s extremely raw and could take several years before making an impact.

Fit: Of course, GM Bryan Colangelo had to take a Euro. But the young Lithuanian has a chance to be real good.

6) Jan Vesely to Washington Wizards.

Details: PF, 6-11, 240, Czech Republic, 21 years old.

Pros: He’s not your typical Euro. Long, athletic, and explosive, Vesely loves to get up the floor and throw down monster jams. His length and versatility makes him a force on both ends of the floor.

The Mavericks celebrated their NBA Championship today with a parade through the streets of Dallas and a rally at the American Airlines Center. And despite being arrested two days ago for public intoxication, Mavs guard DeShawn Stevenson was able to make his $475 bail yesterday just in time for the party. During the celebration, a Mavs announcer asked Stevenson if he had any final words for the Miami Heat and in particular, LeBron James: “You saw what my shirt said. We got the ring baby!”

Despite getting arrested for public intoxication on Tuesday, despite posting $475 bail so he could be at the Dallas Mavericks’ championship parade, the controversial swing still went after rival LeBron James.

Tuesday, James backed down from those statements and said they were misinterpreted. "Basically I was saying at the end of the day this season is over and -- with all hatred -- everyone else has to move on with their lives, good or bad. I do too," James said.

"It wasn't saying I'm superior or better than anyone else, any man or woman on this planet, I'm not. I would never ever look at myself bigger than anyone who watched our game. It may have come off wrong but that wasn't my intent."

He was tired. He was upset. He was under pressure/duress. He had a hell of a year. And his Miami Heat just lost the NBA Finals.

So LeBron James said the wrong thing on Sunday night. In fact, he said the worst thing possible, challenging the haters, critics, and general public after losing the championship to the Dallas Mavericks.

Not surprisingly, there was a backlash. And James became the anti-Christ. Again.

Yesterday, was progress. James did a good job clarifying his comments about being superior. He expressed regret. He seemed sincere. He deserves credit.

Now for the bigger issue. Since ‘The Decision’ last July, James has become public enemy number one. He needs better people around him, specifically a communications or PR guy.

Other than developing a low post game, this should be James’ top priority for the summer.--Oly Sandor.

The Mavericks closed out the series on Sunday night with a 105-95 win in Game 6 before taking to South Beach club LIV to celebrate with the Larry O'Brien trophy. On Monday, the Mavericks flew home to Dallas, where Stevenson was spotted wearing a Mavericks blue and white t-shirt with lettering that read: "Hey LeBron! How's my Dirk taste?"

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: To the victors go the spoils. It also means they get the last laugh.

Take DeShawn Stevenson, the controversial and outspoken guard for the world champion Dallas Mavericks. Stevenson, whose beef with LeBron James goes back to their days with the Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers, was unusually quiet during the NBA Finals.

Perhaps he didn’t want to make James mad. Perhaps he didn’t want to create a distraction. Perhaps he wanted to focus on winning.

Well, the Finals is over. The Mavericks won. And Stevenson is making up for lost time.

First, he called the Heat ‘classless’. Then he sported a t-shirt saying ‘Hey LeBron! How's my Dirk taste?’. The best part of his ‘t-shirt’: it had an HDTV logo on it, the company Mavericks owner Mark Cuban founded.

Mo Williams: 'Dallas just healed my HEART........'LinkHoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Friend turned foe piles on.
In Cleveland, LeBron James and Mo Williams were tight. They formed a terrific starting backcourt, and had swagger and confidence to spare.
Until The Decision went down last July.
Everything changed when James hired Jim Gray, went on ESPN, and announced he was ‘taking his talent’ to South Beach. The world started to hate -including Williams.
Should Williams hate?
Sure, the new table-setter for the Los Angeles Clippers has a right to feel frustrated with how James left. Perhaps he and Cav-nation deserved better than being dumped on national television like a second-rate reality show.
Williams can’t criticize James for what he did. Leaving was his right as an unrestricted free agent. No co-star was coming to Cleveland, no matter what owner Dan Gilbert claims.
For James it was simple: continue playing with the likes of Candace Parker’s brother in Ohio or head south, partner with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, and challenge every year for a championship.
Of course, something else may have happened behind the scenes. Something we don’t know about.
Bottom line: Williams should keep quiet. Kicking a former teammate, even one as cocky and arrogant as James, when he’s down isn’t a good look.
--Oly Sandor.Agree or disagree? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

I’m here to win,” James said. “That’s all it’s about. Individual accolades take care of itself. “I’ve got two MVP trophies sitting in my house back in Ohio and I haven’t won anything. It doesn’t matter to me. It’s all about a team game and this is the ultimate team prize right here, just trying to win the NBA championship.

“So I don’t really care. I could trade in my last two MVP trophies to have a ring. I don’t care about individual accolades to solidify myself in the NBA or whatever they’re talking about. It’s ridiculous.”

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: On this, LeBron James gets the benefit of the doubt.

If it was about individual accolades, if it was about getting his, if it was about having the spotlight to himself, James would’ve never ‘taken his talent to South Beach’.

If LeBron was all about LeBron, he’d have stayed with the Cleveland Cavaliers and feasted on an all-you-can-eat-smorgasbord of ‘iso’ plays.

After all, the Miami Heat has a co-superstar in Dwyane Wade. There’s also a legit’ star in Chris Bosh. This means James must sacrifice points, minutes, and touches.

He takes turns dominating the ball. And he no longer spearheads a one-four spread for most the game. At times, he must share. At times, he must take a backseat. And for the NBA Finals, he has had to defer to Wade.

The payoff is obvious: teaming up with Bosh and Wade has given James him his best chance at a championship. And winning a championship would validate James' sacrifice.

"It's a little strange, going from 11 years and five championships to essentially being out on the street," Shaw said in a phone interview Friday. "But I can feel good knowing that I did everything possible to represent the Laker organization as well as I could."

A loyal employee even to this strange end, Shaw would not comment on any details of his Lakers situation. He said he had been avoiding media interviews until I phoned him, and was reluctant to speak in anything but general terms. "I have always held the Lakers in high standing, and I'm not going to change that now," he said.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: After 11 years as a player and assistant coach, Brian Shaw won’t be returning to the Los Angeles Lakers.

That’s what he’s heard through the media, at least.

The Lakers’ front office still hasn’t contacted Shaw to inform him he won’t be their next head coach. They instead gave the job to Mike Brown, the former sideline boss with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Let's be clear: passing over Shaw isn't the issue. Treating him this way is. The Buss clan, who own the NBA’s glamour franchise, must be more professional.

In today’s interconnected world, they have to talk with Shaw (after all, he was one of three final candidates to be their next bench-boss). Any platform would have worked: email, Facebook, Friendster, Skype, text message.

It’s hard not to think this was personal. Remember, Shaw was aligned with legendary coach Phil Jackson, who often clashed with the front office and is dating the owner’s daughter.

Shaw deserves credit for taking the high road. He avoided bashing the organization, and thanked them.

Bottom line: Shaw showed class. Buss and the Lakers could learn from him.

“After Miami defeated Chicago last week to advance to the NBA Finals, James talked about his decision to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami. ‘I wanted to team up with some guys that would never die down in the moment,’ James said. ‘The opportunity presented itself with this great organization and we made it happen.’ Speaking on The Dugout Sports Show Podcast on Wednesday, Gibson said, ‘The way it’s said, you can’t help but take it personal. … I don’t think great players should feel the need to say this about a team or say that about a team. I think what it all boils down to if you’re great, you go play great, be great and everybody will realize you’re great. And you wouldn’t have to let it be known that everybody else was less great. Great players shouldn’t have to do that. So I feel like it’s kind of an admission. He might have needed some help. He might have needed to go somewhere and find someone who is a little greater so maybe he wouldn’t die down in those moments.’”LinkHoopsVibe`s Very Quick Call: It`s cattier than a TMZ fallout between Hollywood socialites. And it's more dramatic than a Shakespeare play.
Daniel Gibson has beef with LeBron James.
Again.
This isn't the first time Mr. Keyshia Cole has jousted with the world`s greatest basketball player. Remember, he took issue with his former friend and teammate following The Decision.
Gibson fanned the fire by pronouncing himself the King of Cleveland, which led to a brief twitter war with James. Eventually, cooler heads prevailed.
Here`s the question: Does James care?
He`s currently the toast of the NBA. He`s playing for a championship. He made the right decision to take his talent to South Beach.
Conversely, Gibson is a fringe player. He only makes headlines when feuding with James and because of his wife.
Gibson isn't worth a response. Of course, this is the greatest slight of all.--Oly Sandor.Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

This comes up before every lottery. What’s the big deal? Of course the blasted thing is rigged! Those men in nice suits sitting there behind podiums are spending millions of dollars each year to field the best team they can put on. They have to appear at the lottery knowing that whole thing is rigged, right? You’re going to cite the Patrick Ewing lottery, eh? Please do not. That has been done over and over. Realize that if your team is in the lottery, they suck and need help.

According to the report, the Cavs would send their $14.5 million trade exception to the Pistons for the eighth pick and veteran shooting guard Richard Hamilton. They then would trade the fourth and eighth picks to Minnesota for the second pick. If the reported trade is executed, the Cavs would possess the top two picks -- and use them to take Duke point guard Kyrie Irving and Arizona forward Derrick Williams. The report also said the Cavs would buy out the remainder of Hamilton's $25 million contract.

"I think the Lakers got them a great coach.” “Mike Brown was a great coach,” James said. “He gave us success that we hadn’t had before in that city. And it started with his defensive concepts. He brought in a defensive mind set that we didn’t have.”